Broad Channel Bits

It may be cold and windy with the threat of more snow hovering over every week. But the other day I awoke to a deep orange light moving up my bedroom wall.

Out over the Bay the sun was clear and bold and casting ripples over the water. Even as I watched, it rose higher into the air and lit up the day. Spring is coming.

There’s a Friend In Need outing this Saturday, March 29th, right here at Grassy’s from 2-6 p.m. There will be raffles, food, 50/50s and music by Flash Back.

Coming from “out of town?” The Grassy Point Bar and Grill is at 1802 Cross Bay Boulevard, right here in Broad Channel. (Note: If you passed my house, you’ve gone too far.) Come down, have a great time and support.

And congratulations to Grassy’s super Guest Bartender last Saturday, March 22nd, Rosie Wilmarth!

Speaking of Friends In Need, Steve Hawk tells me that “Jimmy O’Reilly was born and raised in Broad Channel and was involved in a serious accident while in Florida.”

So there will be a Friend In Need benefit for Jimmy at the Bungalow Bar on Saturday, April 5th, from 7 p.m. on. There will be an open bar, light fare and handmade music by the incomparable and very fun, Breezy Grass. The donation is $40 and, as the flyer proudly states, “100% of funds collected go towards helping Jimmy.”

Hey, you can even go by boat and make it a real party. (Note: If you end up in my backyard, you’ve gone too far.)

Good to see Susan Bach playing Grassy’s last Sunday, March 23rd. Hope she’ll be headed back this way again. By the way, I hear there’s some great fried pickles and appetizing corned beef, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut rolls being served up fresh from Grassy’s kitchen. I didn’t have the chance to try them last time I was there, but I’ll be back with a knife and a fork.

Don’t forget to stop in at Ruffle Bar, too.

Last call to see the Rockaway Theatre Company’s “How To Succeed In Business….,” a hilarious show! Go to www.rockawaytheatrecompany.org and get a ticket!

If you got a BC Civic Association newsletter this month, you also got a second page of local advertisers, too. They make the newsletter possible. Take the time to shop by them, use their services and show your appreciation for their contribution to our town. Tell them, ‘Broad Channel sent me.’

Don’t miss out on the Broad Channel Pre-K Open House on Thursday, April 3rd at the BCAC Clubhouse at 10 a.m. Space is limited. So contact Jessica Guttieri at Jessicaguttieri@yahoo.com for more info and to hold a spot. Get your little ones off to a good start.

Last call: Sign up for the 6-hour defensive driving course on Wednesday, April 2nd and 9th, from 7 to 10 p.m. at St. Camillus School Auditorium, 185 Beach 99th Street. Taking this course will give you a 10 percent discount on your liability, collision and no fault insurance for the next three years. And it can also take up to 4 points off your driver’s license. Proceeds go to support St. Camillus-St. Virgilius parish religious education classes. No test and refreshments will be served. Seats are going fast; your $45 fee will hold one for you. Call Helen at 917-553-2409 or 718-945- 4648. Now.

Christ Presbyterian Church by the Sea will be holding a Good Friday Tenebre service on Friday, April 18th, at 8 p.m. Easter services will be at the church on Sunday, April 20th, at 9 a.m.

Tenebrae is Latin for ‘shadows’ or ‘darkness’. In services I have been to the church is lit solely by candles. During the moving ceremony each candle is extinguished, one by one, while readings and psalms are chanted or recited. Eventually all is darkness.

I found this gives you a real sense of the emotional impact, the uncertainty and solemnity of the Passion story up to that point. Then, as everyone sits in the deep silence and begins to feel the darkness all around them, one candle is revealed. This one small light in an ocean of darkness begins to glow and to grow. This is the promise of Easter that is yet to come.

I will include the Easter season schedule of services for St. Virgilius and St. Camillus as soon as I have them.

Josette at the VFW wanted to let us know that the money raised at last Sunday’s bingo “was used for a continental breakfast for the homeless.” On behalf of the Post and the vets, she says, “Thank you all who attended and those who donated.”

Coming up next at the VFW? On Sunday, April 6th, the veterans from St. Albans will be visiting the post. “A brunch, horse race,” Josette says, “and a comedy show from our very own Joey O’Hare will be for the veterans. Any volunteers to be a horse or serve some food will greatly be appreciated. Call 646- 344-2640.

“On Sunday, April 13th, we will be hosting our annual Easter egg hunt for children age 9 and under. The Easter bunny will be visiting. There will be games and prizes also. RSVP at 646- 344-2640. And April 27th bingo doors open at 12 bingo starts at 1 p.m. BYOB. Funds raised will go towards all veteran affairs.”

Got footage of BC during the storm? Contact JamaicaBayLives@gmail.com. Now in production, “Jamaica Bay Lives” a film by Dan Hendrick, tells the story of this great bay that we live surrounded by. Previewed portions feature Broad Channel people such as Dan Mundy Sr., and Don Riepe.

Hurricane Sandy is of course a new addition to that story. So they’re looking for donated video for possible use that pictures Sandy firsthand. Contact them. Help tell the story.

Finally, here’s a headline from The Wave archives: “St. Virgilius, St. Camillus Parishes To Merge.” That was from April 25th, 2008. It quotes a spokesperson for the Diocese of Brooklyn stating that Father Richard Ahlmeyer would be assuming duties as pastor for both parishes by September 1st.